The Denver Broncos’ offense is picking up steam in the second half of the season. There’s Week 8 vs. the Dallas Cowboys. Then there’s the end of the Broncos-Texans game. And there’s Week 11 vs. the Kansas City Chiefs. A positive development in Week 11 was rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant. He totaled five receptions for 82 yards on six targets. That said, a question to ponder is whether the Broncos should trade Marvin Mims Jr. before his contract expires.
Marvin Mims Jr.’s Contract Status
Mims Jr. was drafted in the second round of the 2023 NFL Draft. That said, the Broncos drafted a wide receiver in the 2024 NFL Draft and the 2025 NFL Draft. After not breaking out in Year 2, yes, the Broncos should trade the Pro Bowl wide receiver.
After 2025, Mims Jr. has one year left on his rookie contract. He totaled 39 receptions on 52 targets for 503 yards (29.6 yards per game) and six touchdowns in Year 2 in 2024. But he made the Pro Bowl because of his return skills. Mims Jr. totaled 26 punt returns for 408 yards and seven kick returns for 194 yards. So, his all-purpose yardage was 1,147 yards.
The second round, though, is a high draft slot for a wide receiver who specializes in returning the ball. For reference, the first three rounds of the draft are starter rounds. Teams can draft return men on Day 3.
Mims Jr., meanwhile, is No. 41 in PFSN’s WR Impact Score. So, he’s hovering around replacement level. Other wide receivers drafted in Mims Jr.’s draft range were Tank Dell, Jalin Hyatt, Cedric Tillman, Josh Downs, Tre Tucker, and Michael Wilson.
While we won’t play the what-if game, we will bring up rookie wide receiver Pat Bryant. Circling back to his Week 11 game of five receptions for 82 yards. For Bryant to fully break out, he needs more playing time. So, it behooves the Broncos to trade Mims Jr. after the 2025 season. That leaves Courtland Sutton, Troy Franklin, and Bryant as the three starting wide receivers for 2026.
Mims Jr. isn’t likely to re-sign with the Broncos anyway. Even a late Day 3 would suffice for Mims Jr. because it gets Bryant on the field, the better player, and the Broncos can draft another return man with the pick. Mims Jr. is a sunk cost. Let’s not waste snaps on him in 2026.